Borrowing Survey Shows Farmer Confidence Remains Strong
GERMANY – Farmer confidence remains strong and has led to a rise in planned investments, according to a survey of economic and agricultural investment barometers.
24 April 2013
2 minute read
By: Despite difficult weather conditions and rising input prices for many livestock farmers, investment ventures are growing in popularity with a €0.9 billion increase in borrowing over the next six months. Spending also extends to machinery which jumped from €0.2 to €1.1 billion.
Renewable energy borrowing has dropped overall with photovoltaic systems seeing a decline in financing and biogas units remaining unchanged.
The survey, a mix of investment and spending information from the National Farmers Union, VDMA agricultural machinery and the farm loans bank of Germany, indicates the continued trend for energy, fertiliser, feed and rent prices being the highest cost pressures.
Overall, the survey points to a picture of ‘cautious optimism’, stated the National Farmers Union .
